Former Chaplain At Ramapo College, Decorated Military Chaplain Dies

MAHWAH, NJ — A former chaplain at Ramapo College in Mahwah and Silver Star awardee for his service as a military chaplain during the Vietnam War passed away last week at age 86, according to his obituary.

Kenneth Herbster, who served as Ramapo's Chaplain from 1973 to 1982 and arrived in Vietnam in 1967 with the 9th Infantry Division, passed away peacefully in his Caldwell home, his obit said.

Ordained in 1963 as a Roman Catholic priest, Herbster served the Archdiocese of Newark for more than 49 years. He enlisted as a military chaplain in 1966, serving in the U.S. Army until 1972. While deployed, he would perform mass and last rites for troopers, and anointing of the sick, his obit said.

His recognition with the Silver Star acknowledged that he acted bravely with "disregard for his own safety," for more than six hours during one specific amphibious operation in 1967, in order to "give aid and comfort to the wounded and dying" after troops came under heavy fire.

"As a direct result of his actions, an untold number of lives were saved and many additional casualties were prevented," Herbster's obit said.

His obit added that his time in Vietnam had a "profound and lasting impact" on his life and work. He continued to support fellow veterans, and provided comfort to those struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder — something he also experienced.

Herbert was active in the Archdiocese until his passing, his obit said. He performed Mass weekly at St. Catherine's Convent in Caldwell, and served at the Reverend Monsignor James F. Kelley Residence in Caldwell, where he lived.

He was also a "supportive, steadfast presence" for multiple generations of Herbsters, his obit said. He has presided over an estimated eight family weddings, 13 family baptisms, and other family milestones large and small.

"Ken’s legacy of selflessness, faith, patience, humor, and above all else, love, will no doubt continue on in the countless lives – family, friends, and strangers alike – that he touched," his obit said.